So-niele

If you didn’t know, 4th grade in California Catholic schools is the California Mission Project. I’m not sure what is done in public schools, I know they learn something about the Missions but I don’t think a project is assigned. As mentioned before we were handed down a bunch of good loot from Sabrinasmom. An awesome book that J can use for his report as well as some fences, monks, greenery. Before J had been assigned his Mission, I had hoped that he would get something close so that we could do and visit the Mission. With our luck, he got Mission Santa Clara. Woo hoo. So today we made our way down the peninsula.

The Mission is located on the Santa Clara University campus. What a nice campus at that. Wow. And the weather today was wow too, so it might have added to the wow factor. Lol. Just our luck though, a wedding was taking place right as we got there so there was not a lot of snooping done inside. We walked the outsides and students were sunbathing on the grounds. Lol. The kids were caught off guard when people would plop their belongings down on the grass and start taking off their shirts. The main point in our visit was to get an idea of the construction. And I think we got it. J is supposed to do the construction mostly on his own, so that will be quite a challenge. He has big ideas but can never complete them on his own. We were also lent a book from HotDad and son about the Missions. They did them last year, and that should come in handy as well.

I’m excited and yet fearful at the same time. As always there will be a lot of parental contributions but we need to mask those somehow

Something FREE on your birthday?

Disney corporation is giving you a FREE ticket into the park of your choice: Disneyland or Disneyworld, on YOUR birthday!!!

More than likely we’ll be in Hawaii when J, N, or even my birthday rolls around. But maybe for BM’s? Even if you’re a season pass holder or have a multi day ticket you can still take advantage of a FREE something. Be sure to check it out and register!!!

We are soooooo itching to go to Disneyland!!!

We’ve been here 1 week already. And it seems it’s gone by all too fast.

I still haven’t had any shave ice. No Zippy’s. Barely plate lunch. None of my fave garlic chicken or garlic mahi. I’ve had a teaser portion of haupia cake a teaser of poke. I’ve shared a plate lunch at Yummy’s and even shared an Apple Napple. Oh and I’ve been totally digging mama’s cooking. Oh hell yeah! Especially the dinengdeng, nothing better than fresh veggies and sweet Kahuku shrimp *slurps*!!!

We’ve gone to the pool once and it was an all bad experience. First the lilmiss lost her knowledge of swimming. Not that she had any real ones to begin with but her confidence went into the toilet. Last year she could “monkey walk” the pool and even dunk her head. That day we went she couldn’t even hold the sides of the pool and either wanted to strangle hold me or sit at the pool’s edge. Which meant no aerobis workout for me. Despite there being 2 lifeguards there, I was afraid she might fall in anyhow. So yeah, she’s not coming to the pool anymore. Pffft. Then I think the pool man must’ve overdone it with the chlorine b/c it tasted like crap. Ewww. And when we got home, the baby was NOT having anything to do with feedings b/c she too could taste the crappy chlorine water on me. Ewww.

The boy has been asking to go to the beach and being that the baby is exclusively @ the bo.ob, that can’t happen unless the mama comes along b/c a trip to the beach, takes a LOT of time. And the mama doesn’t like to be in the sun much, let alone the beach b/c she doesn’t go in. She’s allergic to the sun. Doesn’t that suck?

Yeah so 1 week down. Don’t know how many more we have to go, maybe like 6 or something. Heh.

aloha

I brought the camera out on our adventures yesterday but they weren’t much in the way of adventures. Just stopped at my aunt’s like I said and swung by Walmart, did NOT get my flat iron either. Grr. This is not looking pretty!

This morning when I woke, I couldn’t even see the mountains bc there was rain and fog and lots of it. Blech. But the skies have cleared and nothing but blue skies but we normally don’t go out on Saturdays out here b/c my mom cleans and such and then we go to church. We stay away from the beaches b/c we would be waiting a long while for a parking space and then a nice space of beach space. Why bother when we can go when everyone is at work during the week. Right? And just like I at home, I loathe going shopping on the weekends, again b/c there are hoards of people probably trying to beat the heat. So we just hang out in the ‘hood. I would take the kids to the pool down the street but that would ensue tired and crankiness when it’s time to go to church. Maybe when we’re finally fully adjusted to the time change. Then maybe.

BM seemed a pit peeved that we’re not doing anything. We’ve got 6 other days out of the week to do things. And we’re kinda on vacation, and yet we’re not. Like I’ve said, this is literally our second home and it’s not as if we’re constantly on the go when we’re back home. Right? Oh wells.

I would go outside and take pictures of my favorite flowers, but the mosquitoes loooooooooove me and that’s NOT a good thing . Since last night I have 4 bites and counting. Grrrr!!!

Vamos day is creeping up on us. And I’m ready more or less but now the anxiety is creeping up too. I was thinking that the plane would be no sweat, well a teeny tiny sweat might break out but I think I could handle it. Now that the reality is getting closer, my sweat glands are about to burst!

I feel like telling people to not get behind me in the line. I’ve got shit to unload and people to get through. If only I didn’t have to take the laptop and camera out the bag I think I could handle it! B/c there’s still the matter of folding up the stroller all with the infant! Not in it of course. OY! The lilmiss will be getting the limo ride through the airport while the baby will be worn. And then being on the plane itself, here’s hoping that the lilmiss knocks the funk out for a good portion of it. What was I thinking getting the 3 seats in the middle? I should’ve opted to get 2 window seats and having the boy on the other side just so that N could be corralled and entertained with the window. But my hopes are that she’ll be, again, knocked the funk out. The baby I’m just hoping will be happy that I’ll be holding her the entire time. I mean really that’s what she wants now, why should she complain otherwise.

And then there’s the issue of my baggage luggage. We’re allowed a parcel for every seat we paid for, that makes 3. We’ve got 2 suitcases and I’m checking the infant carseat. But I’m worried the luggages might be overweight, what else is new? Then there’s the other issue of bills that need to be taken care of before we depart and then the spending money. Damn, maybe we shouldn’t be going?

What am I dreading over there? The mosquitoes. The heat. The humidity. The food. Yeah as much as I love to eat over there, it’s sure to put on some poundage that I got rid of. But it’s nice to know that my mom will be there so I can take a shower in peace knowing that the baby isn’t screaming bloody murder. I can’t wait to hit the beach either and work on my tan. Lol. I want to go swimming and get some aerobic exercise going.

I really shouldn’t be sitting here. But I needed to get some things off my mind. I think my anxiety is only escalating even more. Aloha for now…

Things in April:

Sunday, April 6th: Dad’s 1 year memorial luncheon
Saturday, April 12th: 2PM Justin’s 1st bday, 230PM Zack’s 2nd bday
14th to 18th: J is on Spring Break
Thursday, April 17th: BM’s bday, 9AM babyM’s 2 month wbc and immunizations
Saturday, April 19th: Baby Shower for the Julians
Sunday, April 27th: Ally’s Red Egg and Ginger Party/ Baptism

Despite her early arrival, I was still showered today with a lovely ladies’ tea. AWWW YEAH! What a way to feel loved and to be able to feel normal again. I’m telling you that curtain did some things to my psyche. Heh!

Got a lot of good loot to boot which is always nice. After lilmiss had outgrown her goods I willingly and wantingly gave them away. They went to friends, family, even the motherland. I saved little outfits here and there, but I can honestly say that they amount to 5 pieces of clothing. BabyM is considered a preemie so even the newborn clothes she is swimming drowning in.

I felt bad that we almost didn’t make it to the shower. Lilmiss who initially hadn’t been on the invite, at my request, joined in on the fun and she was pure entertainment to me. She wanted to drink out of the tea cup, so we had to fool her and put her lemonade in there just so that she could. My girl had her pinkies up and everything. Comedy. She even daintily ate her little sammiches. I’m hoping my friend got some good shots of her. I love the Secret Garden’s food. Oh yum!

I’m surprised my mom has been allowing me out and about as much as she has. It’s Pilipino superstition to be out so much after giving birth. She is constantly yelling scolding me for even the littlest of things… even down to the speed of my walk, just so my va-jay-jay isn’t dragging to the ground some day. LMAO. Constantly trying to feed me and telling me what to eat and what not to eat. We were released yesterday and being church day for my mom, we tagged along. I thought it appropriate, I didn’t think it would be a bad thing… it’s church afterall. Well my parents’ old school church chronies (all Italian) thought otherwise and scolded me for actually wanting to be in the house of the Lord to get my prayer on and thanking him for letting us get through the birth and everything safely. Sure I know I could do that anywhere, but since my mom was going, why not tag along. Today my mom came for the tea which was nice. Tomorrow she’s got a whole list of things for me to do and places to go. What a nut. But shhh… don’t tell her I don’t think she’s realizing it herself.

I should really be sleeping, being that I have to set my alarm every 2-3 hours to feed BabyM, she’s so little she can just sleep and sleep. Pfft. She’s off an on with the breastfeeding and we have to supplement her a little too. Got some freebies from the hospital so once those are done, hopefully at the same time this engorgement goes away, the full on breastfeeding will kick in.

The house is in SERIOUS disarray. It sucks. But we haven’t really been here the past week. And when we are here, it’s to sleep or we’re confined to the room b/c damn it’s benn cold.

But showering… yeah it’s a nice thing, especially when it’s in your honor. Or for the early arrival of your new little one. Actual showering with the whole water and everything is also a good thing… especially when you’re not allowed to do it after birthing someone b/c you’ve got meds stuck in your arms.

That’s the sound of the rain and winds outside. Yeah again! And it looks like we’ll have another steady week of it, through the weekend.

*Sweats on- check
*Slipper socks- check
*Glasses on-check
*Laptop charged- check
*Dinner= leftovers- check
*Heater on- check

All the things I need to get through the evening. Here’s praying the power doesn’t go down!

Time to get LOST tonight…. finally!

I’m really kinda groovin on our “new” schedule with the switch of karate. Although I miss my fellow parents to converse with in the other class, it’s kinda nice not having anything to do on Thursdays and Fridays. But then there will probably be another schedule change with all that’s going on with hula. UGH.

Super bowl 42 on Sunday. I have no personal plans and the BM is going to watch it with some friends from work, so I have requested that he take the lilman with him. I don’t have any plans as of yet either, but I might.

Okay time to fire up my DVD and finish off this KDrama.

I think I went and left my pa-china in the parking lot of Costco today. Lifting too much weight when I’m not supposed to *spanks own hand*.

J’s science project is done. As far as we’ve been told, the Science Fair is on Thursday but I don’t know if there is going to be an assembly or anything like that. He was a special chosen candidate by his teacher. Not everyone had to do it, I thik 3 out of 20 in his class. It’s nothing to him though b/c he’s been doing his “own” Science project since 1st grade. This was an easy one!

My lil Canon point and shoot has an auwe too . The left top corner of the screen is cracked. It’s still very usable but still! That’s my just in case camera and my little avi camera too. So after seeing that I got all worried about my little “big gun”. It’s safe and sound. After all these years though in the same camera case in the bottom of my purse it never experienced any harm!!! Maybe it was feeling neglected? Heh?

So although J has a day off from school today, he’s still got karate tonight. Gonna finish off the leftovers from yesterday and maybe whip up some mini blueberry cheesecakes!

Today we headed across the bridge to celebrate nephew1’s birthday. He’s on his last year of his teens. Yeah, way to make an auntie feel old. But then again I can’t even imagine how old my sister must be feeling . No muss, no fuss time spent in their house munching and munching away. Can’t beat Chevy’s chips and salsa ordered in and Mexican yumminess all around. Oh yeah and there was cake to be had. Cake= good.

Unfortunately the lilmiss… not feeling so good as of late. I thought she was just tired and cranky at the party but when we got home she wasn’t her usual chipper self. She wanted to go to bed early. She requested medicine. Unfortunately we have to forego that, b/c there isn’t any in the house at the moment. I told her we’d go tomorrow. Maybe it will be gone by then, but I’m not counting on it. As soon as we crawled into bed, out like a light with an occasional stir here and there and a whine. Poor bebeh! She hasn’t been sick in a little bit and just as the weather is getting better… we are hit. BLAH!

Tomorrow is Monday. Back to the grind. J starts a new schedule with karate which moves him to Mondays and Wednesdays. Sucks for me. Hula is still on Tuesdays. Got lots going on this week. Need to turn in a new school application, doctor’s appointments, among other things towards the end of the week that hopefully all goes well.

B/c I am soooooo set! Today Err yesterday, Sunday, I finally met up with the girls from high school and we had our gift exchange/ holiday get together. It was Southern Style fixins for eats and damn everything was deeee-li-shuz! Pulled pork sammiches, cole slaw, hodge podge soup, green beans with bacon and onions, candied yams, and for dessert although not Southern… but very yummy, some chocolate mousse thinger and rice krispy treats. As always lots of talking, lots of eating, lots of catching up, and lots of giggling.

My gift was a big hit with my giftee. I don’t like to sway from the wishlist… yes we put them out there b/c after knowing each other this long, it just makes life easier and more pleasant for everyone. I thought I had failed miserably though b/c she asked for a BLACK down vest. I spied one in Sear’s BEFORE Christmas and snagged it. I don’t like to mess around when I see something at a grrrrrrrreat price , even though we didn’t meet til well after the Christmas hoopla. As I was wrapping it the other night and in the light of my own home, it wasn’t black. AWwwww shit! And then I go to check the tag and it says Sierra Brown. Damn me! Anyhow K-lady opened her box of goodness and the color was a bit hit…. with her and everyone else for that matter. So much so that 2 of the others had to try it on. She wore it the remainder of the night. YAY ME! The other part of her gift was a gc for Bare Escentuals, another off her wishlist.

Not to say that I didn’t like my gift. B/c I love it! My gifter didn’t stray either and I got a bonus in mine . She threw in a Timbuk2 wallet that I don’t need. But I got my Pyrex glass measuring cups as well as my stainless steel measuring cups and measuring spoons and these really cute bonus spoons that measure: smidgens, pinches, and 2 others that are slipping my mind. So yeah I’m set with my sets. With all the baking and cooking that I do, you would think I would have already had that kinda stuff. Well I didn’t, I had plastic crap, and they were just that. Crap. And let’s not even get into the fact that I can’t even tell you where the measuring spoons are, b/c I don’t know. They disappeared somewhere, sometime ago so I’ve been kinda eyeballing when it came to teaspoon and tablespoon measurements

Thanks to the BM for giving me some time away from the keiki. A whole 5 hours without them. YAY! Although the ladies were looking for them, I decided to go this get together alone and it was a nice time away. Of course the lilmiss was more than happy when I walked in the door showering me with hugs and kisses. It’s nice to be missed too .

I’m all out of sorts today b/c I didn’t get much sleep last night, had to wake early this morning, and now the BM is home. It’s more that he’s home that’s throwing me off b/c normally on weeknights he’s at work at this time, and most especially on Fridays we don’t see him til the next morning.

Yeah I don’t know what happened to me, but I had a helluva time falling alseep last night, I think it was 3:30AM and by the time I was all into my sleep, my sister called from LA for my wake up call @ 7:30AM. I took my time getting up though and by the time I was all ready to go she called me from SFO. I picked up my good old box of Aloha from Mama !!! The majority of the contents were Christmas ornaments, , and of course the keiki made out like bandits. BM and lilman got UH Warrior gear to sport for the Sugar Bowl on Tuesday. Heh. Colt Brennan is such a cutie!

Then by the time I emptied the contents of the box and put them away, it was time to go to the movies. As planned for a few weeks now, we met up with lilman’s friend and his family to catch the matinee showing of Alvin and the Chipmunks. Very cute movie! Lilmiss was good for the first 30 minutes of the movie and then she got restless. Thankfully the movie was only 1.5 hours long. I’ll have to admit I did snooze out a little bit, not b/c the movie was boring or anything but b/c of lack of sleep.

Originally we were going to join them for lunch, but bailed out and ended up heading to Costco. Got hot dogs, a rotisserie chicken, and stocked up on some chicken for the freezer. I’ve been having an itch to make some fried chicken wings *slurp*. On the way home, stopped at dim sum, b/c we missed out the other day. Heh. And finally made it home. Filled our bellies and sooner than I know it, I’m on the couch… snoozing away. I wake up to find BM home and the keiki watching a DVD.

Lots of things to do this weekend too. Gotta meet up with my sister to pick out tiles and bathroom things for the revamped bathroom that is occurring @ our parents’ house and then Sunday is Blue Christmas with friends down the peninsula. I still haven’t figured out what to bring for that either. Normally I would pick a dessert but it seems that’s what everyone else has signed up for, and how NOT fun would that be?

Hopefully I can get some sleep tonight, despite taking a nap again today b/c it’s an early morning again tomorrow. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Nearly 12 hours out. Yes. 12. Mama Toots and Brother Toots picked me up at 10:30PM and we headed down to Gilroy for midnight madness. We had been anticipating these events for quite some time. . Bigmister loaded my wallet and stayed home with the keiki while I shopped and shopped. Unfortunately we forgot about the traffic and line up to get OFF the freeway @ the exit so travelling 2 miles took 1.5 HOURS. Yeah stupid!

But it was worth it for all the savings that happened. We were armed with our arsenal of coupons and an attack plan of where we wanted to go. My list is nearly wiped clean with the exception of 4-6 people. Niiiiiiiiice eh? Happened on a store that wasn’t in the plan but walked out with some good stuff! YAY !!!! And even bought things for people that I had forgot to put on the list. YAY!!!!

But what the hell, everyone and their mama was there. For reals. Some of the stores I just could not understand the snaking lines to just get INSIDE! Crazy. We finally left that area around 6AM. Yeah we’re crazies huh? But the savings they were offering us early birds was completely and utterly worth it.

We made a stop @ the mall and finally called it, er… a morning @9AM. Whew.

I ate some breakfast and then fell into a nice deep slumber. Had to get up though as the bigmister had to head to work and my mommy duties resumed.

Lilman is enjoying a video game at the moment and the lilmiss is curled up in her blankie taking a nap. she was getting cranky. woo boy! I might just curl up next to her and nap again.

How was your black friday?

Not really, but kinda. I deserve it though. At least I think so.

The parties were good fun and it’s always nice to see my Ate and lil bro from college. As well as hang out with their parents’ and families, get caught up, and meet the keikis. Had some YUMMAY in the tummy Ro.und Tabl.e pizza and salad and then The Bee Movie in the East Bay. Headed home, rested a bit, filled our bellies. And then headed down to the South Bay for the other party @ Pum.p It. U.p. It poured down rain the entire time we drove to and from and here and there but it didn’t bother me none.

Today I’ve been doing laundry and uploading photos from the parties. Just kinda lounging around the house. Oh yeah I went thru the lilmissy’s smallish clothes and put them aside for now. Boy did that make a big dent in her clothes, but it makes a helluva difference when I’m trying to find her something to wear.

There are so many things I would love to stuff my face with at the moment: Hooter’s wings, a nice juicy steak, shrimps, mashed taters, cake, and/ or sushi… LoL… but we have NONE of those things in the house nor any plans to go out to eat. Phooey!.

We had our annual trip to take the keiki to the pumpkin patch today. Wasn’t sure if the weather was going to cooperate and other than things being a lil damp, it was a good trip. Lilmiss loooooooooooooooooved pushing the wheel barrows around and didn’t really care to share much. The keiki picked 2 small ones and I don’t even know if I’ll be able to carve them. Heh.

Lilman also picked up his costume finally today.

It’s really rather a strange day. The lilman had the day off, something he hasn’t had off in 3 years. Had a busy weekend, went out to watch the Blue Angels being that it was Fleet Week here in SanFr.ancisco. Scored really good seats even. Made it a day out there and walked a LOT! From the Ferry Building to Ghiradelli and back. There was a ton of cars and people out there so I’m happy that we walked it and used Muni instead of herding with the masses. Thankfully bigmister works along some street car lines, otherwise I’m sure we would have been with the herds.

Unfortunately, we’ve been eating out waaaaaaaaaaaay too much, lunch and dinner yesterday while we were out on the town. I’m in one of my “moods” again where I just don’t care to cook, and there hasn’t been much in the way of cooking anyhow other than things from the freezer that can be microwaved. Blech.

So today I trekked to Cost.co for some things for the fridge and tummies, and a few things for lilman’s school lunches. I’ve been on a fish kick again and so salmon it was. The salmon in the picture does NOT give it justice, it’s just my crappy cellphone camera. But it was delish nonetheless. Just a few sprinkles of garlic salt, a few pats of butter, and some fresh lemon slices and juice. Strangely my keiki love asparagus. I’m not complaining, NO I’m not. I just find it strange that they gobble up the stuff on their plates. Clearly something they didn’t get from their dad. I was skeptical that N wouldn’t eat her share of salmon but she finished hers and asked for more . YAY! I’m hoping that the bigmister doesn’t get wind of the leftovers in the fridge, he’s @ work right now, so that we can enjoy it again tomorrow for dinner .

I love to cook, I just hate having to “think” of things to eat that BOTH kids will eat. J has a “picky” palate at times, he’s not much into “ethnic” food. Lilmiss has her days when she can be picky and will only eat rice and soy sauce. So today’s meal was a great success, unfortunately salmon and asparagus aren’t always on sale.

I’ve thought about making a menu on Sundays to prep myself, like another mommy friend does. And maybe someday I will, it just hasn’t happened yet.

After reading Sarah’s blog about how they spent a lovely day in Golden Gate Park, I got all excited. I didn’t know that it had reopened! It was a long time coming. I used to have birthdays there when I was a tot. I basically outgrew that place, and now it’s new and pretty. It was looking scary and shady for awhile, wood structures are definitely out. The new name is definitely never going to sit in my book, forever and always will it Children’s Playground in my book.

So another lovely day occurred today, as should be expected this time of year. And being that it’s one of J’s ‘lax days, I picked him up from school and headed into the city. Oh man it was HOT. But thankfully we were dressed appropriately. Got a parking spot, easy peasy, and in the lot too. Had to wake the lilmiss from her slumber but she was more than happy, b/c I said “PARK”. . The carousel is still there but I had to make the keiki byline that, as the point was to check out the “new” park. Oh man and new it was. 2 new play structures, a swing area, a climbing rope tower, a water play area, and they still kept the wall slide!!! YAY!!! Lil man eagerly picked up a piece of cardboard and trekked up the stairs. His sister wasn’t far behind but I knew she wouldn’t have been able to do it, so I walked her back down. Then as soon as he came down a hoard of children came through and started to run up the stairs. Maybe they needed someone to show them the ways, I don’t know. Heh.

They milled around and checked out their designated play areas. Lilmiss seemed to find a friend on the slide and they took turns going up and down the stairs and slide. Lilmiss seemed irritated that she kept calling her “Baby” though, and she was smaller than N. N just kept saying “I’m not a baby Mommy!” Then it was off to the swings. N’s most favorite part of parks. I like it because it keeps her confined.

So it turned out to be a good idea and a good day to check out the “new” park. Definitely a change from the “good ol’ days”. The keiki seemed to enjoy it. N kept making bylines towards the water play and I can’t blame her. It was a nice day. It just didn’t look to be one of the cleaner places to be playing. And there also seemed to be a clique of mommies already hanging out there. I just made up the excuse that she needed her babing soup (N’s translation for bathing suit), and it was good enough for her.

Here’s hoping for more good weather and park days!

It’s crunch time. It’s time to head back home. Time to head back to reality. No more vacation. *sigh* No more beaching. No more shorts and tank weather.

Last night I sent a box of stuff home with the nephews. And I still have so much more to bring home. AIYAH! As is always the case when I come here. And once again as I look at all the stuff, not one thing for me. Not one thing for anyone else. Save for some candy for the bigmister and some coffee for MamaToots and chocolate for PapaToots. All of it for my stinking keiki.

Today we didn’t have much planned so I took the keiki out to Wai.kele. Found some jeans for J for $4.99, and some other odds and ends for them. Saw Mart.in Nievera walking around with some peoples too. Almost, almost worked up something to go and say Hey and get a picture. Of course I didn’t bother.

I’m hoping to squeeze in one more beach day. Hopefully tomorrow. But I know my mom has a pretty tight schedule until we leave, so I’ll just play it by ear. I really, really, really loathe being a chauffeur. BLAH! Totally and completely sucks. Oh well, huh?

Unfortunately I have my ring tone of Gwen’s “Sweet Escape” in my head right now, hence the title. I can’t think of anything at the moment. I had something last night but blogsome wasn’t being kind to me. Looks to be they were updating to something pretty.

Anyhow a little over a week left here. I can’t believe 2 months is nearly up. It doesn’t seem we’ve been here all that long. We’re currently on hurricane watch. Flossie is on the move south of where we are. Lilman has got his panties in a bunch over the hurricane and I’m not being so nice as to tell him it’s not really going to hit hard where we are. At least I’m hoping it doesn’t! We’re only supposed to expect some rain and showers. The winds have definitely been kicking up though.

Last week we celebrated 2 birthdays, mine and the lilman’s. Very low key for both just dinners with family. Can you believe that J is 8!!!!!! Good Lord! 8!!!!! Dude if that’s not a sign that I’m getting old, then I don’t know what is.

When we get back home it’s back to the grind. No more sitting back and letting someone else cook dinner. BLAH! No more of my mom insisting that she do the laundry. And I have to step up my game and actually become Mommy again. LoL. I don’t know how lilmiss is going to handle it. She’s joined to my mom’s hip and wants nothing to do with me most times. The potty training is certainly coming along. YAY! She still has her moments but if we keep on her enough and just take her despite her not wanting to be taken, everyone is happy!

I’ve got loads of things to bring back home. None for me. None for the big mister. Nothing even to give anyone else. All for the kids and mostly in the form of clothes. Oh well.

Yeah that’s what I am. Boring. Bored. Ask me what I did today. I took a nap. By the time the thought of going to the beach poppd into my head it was much too hot to even be out there. So we didn’t go. School is back in session, so the beaches should be less crowded. Maybe Wednesday. We’v been walking down to the pool, which is so much easier, but now that school is in session there’s a modified schedule going on this week. Let me tell you it was HOT today. It sucked so bad. But the beach wasn’t calling, despite the whines of the kids, I just didn’t have it in me to lug all the crap out (unscheduled) and get all the sand up in the bits.

I haven’t been taking much in the department of photos either. Not even candids of the kids around the house. I suck. I’m telling you. There’s just been stuff weighing on my mind lately and has my mind preoccupied.

Oh and as if N’s birthday didn’t creep up on me. There’s 3 birthdays fast approaching, mom’s at the end of the week. Another of which is my own and I’m in that mode again where it could be a day to come and go and I’d be PERFECTLY fine about it. Lilman’s is right after mine and with the way he’s been acting. OY! Let’s just say he’s walking a thin line with me everyday and he isn’t the pleasant child he was before. OY! He OVERpushes the buttons and one day I might just snap. He’s had his Nintendo DS revoked from him a number of times, he better hope that he shapes up soon b/c the way he’s been, he soon won’t be getting it back until we get back home.

With the birthdays, comes the missing and thinking of my dad. And a celebration that he will be missing. I know I don’t talk about it much here, I’m really a rather private person especially about my feelings. But it sucks, being here and he’s not here. Driving places that he showed us first. His quirky little routes to and from places. Meals that he would enjoy. Lil things the lilmiss does that would send him into a bout of tears, of Joy of course. Saving my son from the wrath of his mother and telling me to ease up on him. It just really sucks.

Like I’ve said I’ve got a ton weighing on my mind as of late. Of all the places to be on a birthday, yes I’m in Hawaii and I honestly wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, but there’s all that ICK and YUCK and BLAH in my life that’s preventing me from truly enjoying it.

Drove into town today and finally got a much needed/ overdue haircut. I decided that I would no longer use my hair as a shield/blanket any longer and went for a cut. It’s just hair afterall and it will grow back. No longer does it sweep my back, it sweeps my shoulders. Aiyah!!! It definitely needed the trim and I’ll have to work with it a bit. It’s better than the bruja-do that I was dealing with.

After the haircuts in Waikiki we headed to Ward’s b/c I hadn’t been there in awhile. Nothing new at the old spot but they’ve expanded in other directions. My niece picked up some cute pieces at the Roxy Store and then we walked over to Nord.strom Rack. Mama got her and the boy some new sandals. Then it was on to the Quicksilver Youth Store which also carries the Teenie Wahine Roxy line. Sooooooooooo many cute things. Found her a cute top and a tshirt both 40% off and some denim capris for 30% off. I could have easily dropped more funds down, if I were rich.

And then as my niece and I were walking back to the car to unload the bags, I stepped off a rather high curb and my ankle decided to give out on me. AUWE! I think it’s punishment for me for deciding to jaywalk instead of using the crosswalks. The asphalt was hot and gritty. My knee was all bloody and thankfully I had some bandaids in my purse. Yellow ones with ducks on them. Ahahah! No wonder when we went into the 99 cent store everyone was looking at my banged up knees with the yellow bandages. I probably called attention to myself with the limping too. The scapes you see there without the bandages on them BURN like crazy and the matching ones on my other legs burn as well. My ankle feels like it might break at any moment from the slightest wrong movement. Lovely, eh?

Okay so we’ve landed, a few hours ago. And it’s HOT . Like miserable hot! Blech! Sweaty and clothing sticking to your body hot. I was hoping for some yummy Korean plate lunch goodness for lunch, but we had guests over to feed and that wouldn’t have been cost effective. Instead we had KFC. Ahahaha. Mom’s is not in cooking mode just yet, and well the house is lacking of food other than canned goods and rice. Oh yeah and lots of beverages, unfortunately none of which were cold when we got home.

This trip I won’t be living out of a suitcase which is nice . We each got a drawer, a stuffed one at that, in the room that we’re sleeping. The lilmiss and me anyhow. The boy is sleeping with my mom and my niece gets her own room and bed. Sheesh. So yeah I’ve already unpacked the majority of my goods.

We’ve already made it down the hill too for some dessert. McD’s no longer has the haupia pie, but now there’s a Taro Pie. It’s ‘aight. I still like the haupia better though. MsGracie said there’s a banana one too, but I’m not too keen on that. So yeah pies and ice cream were had. And now I’m in bed, or on top of it. It’s too hot, I’m telling you!

Hopefully I can bust out the big gun tomorrow and take some pictures b/c people are hounding me already .

My niece needs to check her M.ysp.ace so off I go. Sleep is calling my name anyhow.

I “chaperoned” the lilman on a field trip to Six Flags Marine World Discovery Kingdom, and I decided to leave the lilmiss home and be baby free today. I just didn’t want to hassle with her, have to worry about the stroller, fight her as she would want to get out and walk (which in turn what do I do with the stroller?), and have to carry all that extra baggage. And it was a lovely carefree kinda day !!! But I’m sad. B/c I miss her . I woke up @ 630 this morning and tucked the blankies round her and made sure to give her a lil peck. I closed the door in case she woke up while I was getting ready and we were on our way. And now… I don’t get to see her til 2morrow morning, when I retrieve her from my mom.

Big Mister is mixing @ the second chance Prom and the headliner from that is Jor*dan Kni*ght *swoons* LMAO! He’s texting me and telling me he’s good! LoL. As if I didn’t already know that . I had the opportunity to go but I didn’t want to dress up, I would have been by my lonesome (bigmister is working), and I was on the field trip anyhow.

In other news, I’ve been seriously considering cutting my hair. Don’t know what I want to do with it though. It’s just looking scraggly (LMAO, as if that’s a word!). I would looooooove something wash and go, but we all know that’s not happening with my froish tendency hair. But I want something simple and to cut some of the length *gasp* did I say that? Hardly do I ever want to cut more than a few inches, but this time I think I do. I can’t hang on to hair forever, right? And it’ll grow back anyhow.

Eh, don’t mind me just rambling… Have a lovely weekend.

* don’t eat too much rice, if need be only 1x a day
* get J in a summer program
* work on my tan
* read some books
* learn how to use the dSLR to its full capacity
* sleep @ reasonable hours and wake @ them too
* exercise: early morning walks, ride dad’s bike, swimming, beach
* get N FULLY potty trained
* get J to do workbooks EVERYDAY
* bring karate DVDs and get him working on it every morning so he totally doesn’t fall off
* get N working on some things too

So far that’s all I’ve thought of. Which means I need to find a program for him. I’ve seen 2 different summer day camps that he can possibly do. Don’t know if he’ll be too shy about it b/c he won’t know anyone, but they look super cool. And then there’s always the tutoring camps. And then there’s the matter of getting him some workbooks too. We tried it last summer and it didn’t fair too well with him, he was all about it in the beginning, of course, and then he just slacked off. But I already know what I’m going to hold over him, his Nintendo DS (which has been my hostage for the past month, not b/c I want it I have my own, but b/c he’s been acting out) and the cartoon watching. He got morning television yanked from him as well, big mister did that one, for doing something out of character at school and getting a note sent home *gasp* Yeah I know!!!! He was the one that actually said he wanted to bring the DVDs and said he would do them in the morning. Good boy!

Lilmiss has continuous back and forth with the potty training. She does sit on the potty everyday @ every chance she can possibly get, but it’s hard when we’re out or we’re at someone else’s house and they don’t have a potty insert so she doesn’t fall in. When she wakes up, she sits. When she’s brushin her teeth, she sits. Before we leave the house, she sits. When she asks to sit, she sits. When I catch her midpoop, she sits. One day, while we were homebound, she sat every hour. It worked pretty good up until her brother came home and was in there when she should have been. Sometimes she wakes up completely dry in the morning after a long night’s sleep. But I don’t think she has control just yet. As in, she can hold it and then tell me she wants to go and we go. Nope. So with the busy schedule I’ve been holding lately, I’m just going to hold off til we get there. It shouldn’t be as hectic, I hope. So I need to remember to bring the pink bag of panties.

I’ve been working on songs, numbers, and ABCs with her too. Her songs are the funniest/ cutest things ever b/c of course she leaves words out. Her favorites right now are *Twinkle, Twinkle* and *Wheels on the Bus*. Oh yeah and the theme song on *Wonder Pets*. I’m working on the 1 to 10 and it’s going pretty well, it works when we go up and down stairs. The letters are different though, she doesn’t care too much for them. She’s only got ABC down. Heh.

ETA: I found my keys. They fell into the washing machine with a load of whites and did the full cycle. Heh. Luckily for me it didn’t short the door locker thinger for the car.

Grrrrrr!!!! We just got home not too long ago, took a family day out. Treated the keiki out to a late lunch early dinner to Rainforest Cafe. Big mister got a handle of the “big gun” and took MANY photos to his delight. Seeing as how I was driving and all . He said he felt like a tourist, although we were both born and raised here. But it’s always nice to get out there and just enjoy everything. Brought home some candy apples and came back to a ticket on the car . Boo! Thought we were free b/c of the holiday. Guess not. Took the scenic route home and as we entered the garage I stopped to finish off the laundry, while everyone else made their way upstairs.

Noooooooooowwwww…. I CAN’T FIND MY STINKIN FRICKIN FRACKIN KEYS!! And it hurts to even think where they are. I checked the dryer. I checked the clothes I pulled out the dryer. I checked out front, in case I dropped them. I checked all my clothes that I had on me. I checked my purse. I’ve gone up and down the stairs a number of times. I’ve looked in nooks and crannies in case they’ve fallen into the abyss of vinyl records we have downstairs and NOTHING! So I’m taking a break that in the hopes they’ll decide to not play tricks on me anymore and come out of hiding. *deep breath*

Wee’ve got a 4 day weekend as opposed to a 3 day. J was ’sposed to have a field trip today but I didn’t bother sending him. Pointless ’tis why. It was all the way in San Jose, they weren’t going to leave school til about 1030ish. Then they were going to have lunch down in SJ, in front of the museum. Go to the museum for 1.5-2hours and then head back. And all that for $9. So not worth it.

Instead we headed across the bridge. Travelled across that section of the Macarthur Maze that fell down a month ago. Stopped in Oakland for some yummy in the tummy baked goods at BakeSale Betty. Scones, brownies, cookies, lemon bars galore… and ALL yummay! Then headed through the tunnel and hit up H&M. Oh Damn! Scored on a bunch of stuff! The Clearance items were BOGO FREE!!!! And then everything else was 25% off. Wahoo. I actually got some things. 4 skirts and a jacket. Lilmiss of course got a bunch of things and lilman too. Then we walked Broadway Plaza for a bit and headed to Macy’s.

Scored these lovely sandals on sale. AACK, they’re so cute. My shoe wardrobe, not to mention my whole wardrobe, needs some serious work. I wear the same ish ALL THE TIME. If I could my feet would permanently be adorned in flip flops, which BTW I scored on some red and white Havaianas for $9 the other day. So cute.

After the shopping and walking we headed over to pick up my niece. Headed to my older nephew’s work, but he was still @ school, and ran into the younger nephew. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights when he saw me. He was all confused and didn’t understand why we were there. . Then we headed back towards the bridge. Stopped once again @ BakeSale Betty b/c all the yummy goodness we originally stopped for wasn’t enough. My mom wanted more lemon bars and brownies to share with my brother. I was hoping we could get a Fried Chicken Sandwich, but they were all sold out. Apparently they sell out by like 2pm *note to self*. My mom went in, got the goods, chatted up Blue Haired Betty herself and scored a FREE Chicken Pot Pie, $25 value. Good Lawd! What an awesome lady. Fo’ sho we’re going back.

Had a yummy yummy homecooked dinner with the fam, and now I’m home alone. The keiki stayed with my mom and big mister is at work late tonight.

Tomorrow big mister works the afternoon and we’re headed to some Hula thing in the southbay anyhow. And then Sunday there’s an anniversary event to attend at the Karate school. Monday I think movies are in the plans, but we shall see.

I’m rather tired. I was going to make it foreign movie night for myself but I think I might fall asleep watching it. Hope you’re having a lovely long weekend!

Of the UPS variety. I ♥ my new purse, hehehe, camera bag. It looked smallish in the box, I got the 5million one and I had to totally check the website to make sure that it was right. I thought it came with a shoulder pad thinger. I was wrong. And again, for some reason, I thought it would have been bigger. Not that I’m complaining b/c it fits my new lovey and the cords for the battery, a pack of gum, a pack of Hello Kitty mints , my wallet, and my small P&S camera, with room to spare to shove other things in it . Yeah I know it’s supposed to be for lenses and speedlights and other camera loveys but I don’t have any of that stuff yet, so half camera bag/ half purse it shall be .

I can’t imagine how small the 2million is now. Wow. Talk about compact huh?

Now I have no real excuse now to leave home without the camera. YAY! I totally missed out 2x this week b/c I didn’t want to lug it around in its temporary home, in addition to my purse. We went into the city on Monday and the weather was lovely and then today took a cruise down the coast, missed opportunities, but no more!

I’m bored and I feel the need to ramble. I just saw a commercial for the Sonic BLT and Tropical Mango Tea for $2.99. If only we had Sonic here. And damnit if only I had my car. It’s in the stinkin shop right now. POS! We’re hopefuly getting rid of it, yes I’ve only had it for a year but it’s not working out for us, and hopefully we can get something. I’ve got my eye on 2 SUV’s. Let’s hope so. We’re hoping to get rid of my car before me and the keiki leave for the islands for the summer and when we get back.

And b/c I haven’t done one of these in a little bit… I’m gonna do it now. All thanks to Monica…

LONGEST RELATIONSHIP?
16 years.

LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
Wii Play I think? Can’t remember

EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE?
Yea

THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON?
Clothes for N. Hello Kitty miscellany

LAST FOOD YOU ATE?
shared a big bowl of strawberries with the keiki

FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Hair, shoes, eyes, facial hair (hopefully there is NONE)

ONE FAVORITE SONG?
that one by Robin Thicke

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Bay Area, CA

HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED:
LHS SF, CA

CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER:
Shitular

FAVORITE MALL STORE?
Sanrio, Gymboree, Target

LONGEST JOB YOU HAD:
SAHM. Ahaha

DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE?
Yea, I think so. Got some from the White Elephant at Christmas, don’t know where they are though.

DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE?:
WTF? No I’m not in middle school.

LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED?
Last summer, there was like 3 or 4 of them. I think in August

FIRST FRIEND YOU’D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY:
maybe M

FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT?
Taco Bell Maybe? Or Wendy’s. I’m trying to stray away from the fast food.

BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD?
Dunno. Gotta think about that one.

WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS?
At one of their houses. Mitchell’s Ice cream

CAN YOU COOK?
Sure why not

WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE??
A POS white one

BEST KISSER?
ahahaa

LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Oh there’s been plenty of tears as of late. At random times too, in the car, in the shower.

MOST DISLIKED FOODS?
Goat

THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF?
I can be a hardworker if I try.

THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF?
Packrat, pushover

LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB?:
My job hasn’t stopped since J was born in August of 1999. Lol.

FAVORITE MOVIE?
16 Candles, Cinderella Story, Mrs Doubtfire

CAN YOU SING?
Sure why not

LAST CONCERT ATTENDED?
Justin like when he first went solo

LAST KISS?
So long ago I don’t even remember

LAST MOVIE RENTED?
We Netflix, not sure

ONE THING YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT?
keys

LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER?
MacBook

FAVORITE COMEDIAN?
Auge T, Rex Navarette, Margaret Cho

DO YOU SMOKE?
Yucks

SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES?
With. Can’t be having the lilmiss grope me in middle of the night

WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT?
S and the lilmiss and J on a sneak in occasion

DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK?
Yea I guess. Been there done that. It’s difficult

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE?
Thankfully only 1x. I was going 80 on the 101 somewhere by Santa Maria,CA heading home for the first time in college.

PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST?
Melt in your mouth fantastic pancakes

DO YOU LIKE COFFEE?
It’s alright. It’s not something I need.

HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS?
Depends on my mood. Overeasy like in a Popeye, or bird’s nest. And then sometimes scrambled with ketchup too

DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?
Nope, can’t stand to read or hear horoscopes too

LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
S

LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST?
G

WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECEIVED?
S: “Lol”, in reference to my text I sent him last night that I was gassy.

NUMBER OF PILLOWS?
I currently have 4

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW?
White P Family Reunion T, Plaid Flannel Boxers, striped undies, glasses

PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC:
“Make way for Noddy”

WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J?
Strawberry Jam. I prefer JAM or preserves

CAN YOU PLAY POOL?
I can hang but I’m no pro. One summer I spent the summer at my uncle’s and he has a pool table. And well Wii Play has pool. LoL

FAVORITE SHOW?
Since my Hawaiian Hiatus there hasn’t been much time for any regular tv. Been watching quite a bit of Korean Dramas as of late.

FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Mango, Strawberry, Vanilla

DO YOU LIKE MAPS?
Hell yeah. Why not.

TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?
I’m double jointed

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Fall I like the brisk air

WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING ?
845

BEST THING ABOUT WINTER?
Jackets, sweaters, rain

NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET?
Never had one.

DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED?
Cool

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND??
2 birthday parties Saturday, maybe a birthday party on Sunday, and spending time with my mom

BIRTHDATE:
August 08

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?
I am what I am, and that’s what I am.

ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?
MacBook

ARE YOU SMILING?
No

DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW?
Definitely.

IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
Disneyland

ARE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL?
No

DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
Piolo Pascual, LoL. Sam Milby. Damn I’m fobulous. Been watching too much TFC

DOES YOUR SCHOOL START IN AUGUST?
J’s does, I think.

DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?
Not so much a vacation, family business in Hawaii though

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?
Nope.

DO YOU HAVE A SISTER?
Yes

ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?
Yep

ARE YOU IN LOVE?
Certainly

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL?
Yeah to give birth

DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE ANYONE PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW?
Yeah, my dad

WHAT JEWELRY ARE YOU WEARING?
My bracelet

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS SURVEY?
Change the channel and look for something to watch, if nothing on TV, start up the Korean DVD in the laptop and wait for Conan OBrien to come on.

Nearly a month later, and I’m still in the islands, with no real idea of when I’ll get to go HOME! Missing the big and lil misters IMMENSELY, but the lil mister is coming out my way on Tuesday with my niece! So YAY for that. We’ll be celebrating some sort of Easter here in the islands. Not sure the plans as of yet. But for sure no homecooked yummy dinner by my mom , she just doesn’t have the time. And there won’t be any sort of outdoor egg hunt for the kids b/c there’s some mean lil mosquitoes out there. Blech!

Speaking of mosquitoes, those bastards have been feasting on my poor limbs. Sooooooooo not pretty. But thankfully the kids are coming so I have an excuse to go to the beach and tan the hell out of my legs. There hasn’t been any sort of time for beaching, except that one time with my brother, and remember I didn’t even get to go in the water, just the dipping of my toes.

It’s nice to be here for my parents but it sucks when we drop people off at the airport and see them go. My sister and older nephew have come and gone in this past week.

My dad… I’m sure you’re all wondering about him. He’s still the same. No progress in either direction. We go to the hospital twice a day, once in the morning and then in the evening to put him to sleep. We’re still waiting on a space at the hospice, but until then he’s at the hospital.

Haven’t been doing much in the way of taking pictures. Yeah I know I suck. I have been doing way too much in the way of eating though. Too much rice, sometimes twice a day. GAH! My big tummy is evidence of that. There’s too many damned good things here to eat.

Met lei’s mom and didn’t even know it was her until lei emailed me about it. Small world indeed. Haven’t had much time in the way of hanging out or contacting any of my friends who are out here either. It’s just we’re gone most of the day and then we come home and it’s time for bed.

The lil miss is growing into a terror. I swear I’m sprouting white hairs left and right b/c of her. But then people are always oogling and googling her and I just don’t get it. If only they knew her true character .

Okay so I’m being summoned to get off the computer and get in the shower so we can get along for the day. Hope you’re all doing well! *hugs*

So I’m sittin in traffic on the Nimitz listening to kccn and I’m wondering if and when I’ll have a star sighting. We’re headed into Waikiki to my mom’s hairdresser. What normally takes about 15-20 minutes takes about 45 instead. We finally get on Kuhio we’re waiting at a stoplight and this black SUV comes to a screeching halt as the crazy blonde driver looks to make sure no one is coming through the intersection, she makes a hard turn onto Kuhio to park in front of a hotel. Who was it? Beth, from Dog the Bounty Hunter and a camera crew!!! So there marks star sighting #1. I was hoping it would be more of someone on Lost, we’re headed around the island either today or tomorrow, so maybe? Just maybe? I’m wondering if we’ll get a small in the background sort of cameo in our rented blue van.